Data Analysis

70% have been involved in or worked on trials that have implemented some decentralized element in the last two years

"In the last 2 years, which of the following have been implemented in clinical trials you have been involved in or worked on?"

In the last two years, 70% of respondents have worked on or been involved in a clinical trial that has implemented any remote decentralized trial element or service. This shows quite how widespread it is now across the industry. The data suggests that North America - where 85% have worked on a decentralized trial - is further ahead than Europe (63%).

96% find decentralized trials to be faster or about the same speed as traditional trials in their experience

"In your experience what impact do decentralized trials have on the speed of trial completion compared to traditional trials?"

Speed is obviously a key part of any study, and 58% of respondents find decentralized trials to be faster than traditional trials in their experience, with just 4% finding them slower.

Of those who reported that decentralized trials are faster, responses varied between 1 and 12 months when asked how much faster they are to reach time to completion compared to traditional trials, with the average respondent finding decentralized trials just under 3 months faster to completion.

*Excluding 'Don't know' (22)

Respondents are clear on the benefits of decentralized trials when it comes to patient recruitment and retention. For both, almost three quarters of respondents found decentralized trials better than traditional trials.

Respondents would expect to recruit on average 36% more patients to decentralized trials compared to traditional ones, and then retain an average of 41% more patients.

71% find decentralized trials to be better for patient recruitment

"In your experience how do decentralized trials compare to traditional trials for patient recruitment?"

74% find decentralized trials to be better for patient retention

"In your experience how do decentralized trials compare to traditional trials for patient retention?"

37% believe the impact of decentralized trials is to reduce the overall cost of the trial, and 44% see them as cost-neutral

"In your experience what impact do decentralized trials have on overall trial cost compared to traditional trials?"

There has been a perception among some that decentralized trials are more expensive to run, with increased costs around technology and training. However, of the respondents with experience running decentralized trials, the opposite is true. Only 19% find them to be more expensive, compared to 37% less expensive.

Indeed, of those that find them to have a lower overall cost, on average they save 30% of the cost of a traditional trial.

Numerous patient benefits of decentralized trials are rated highly by respondents as ways of improving patient recruitment.

80% say saving patients time, and therefore minimising disruption to their life, is a key benefit, followed by 78% that think the fact patients don't have to travel to a clinic is important.

These numbers are unsurprising given the proportion of respondents that find decentralized trials better for recruitment.

The convenience of saving patient time and travel are most
likely to increase patient recruitment

"Which of the following patient benefits of decentralized trials do
you think are most likely to increase patient recruitment?"

72% see reduction in the need to travel to the clinic as a benefit of decentralized trials most likely to increase patient retention

"Which of the following patient benefits of decentralized trials do you think are most likely to increase patient retention?"

When asking the same question for increasing patient retention, the responses differ slightly. Again, it all about convenience for the patient, with the reduction in travel key for 72% of respondents, followed by the time saving aspects (64%) and the reduced burden of the trial on both patient and carer (63%).